Around 50 residents attended the National Riots panel meeting held in Croydon last night.

Councillors and business owners joined Croydon residents in Braithwaite Hall, and attempted to make sense of the riots which destroyed some areas of the borough on August 8.

The event was organised by the independent Riots Communities and Victims Panel, who were appointed by the Prime Minister to try and establish what might have caused the riots and what can be done to stop it happening again.

Audience members took it in turns to voice their views and experiences of that night's events.

One resident who gave her name as Nicola, said: "It was really frightening on the night, there was smoke going up. I have never ever felt so frightened, particularly in my own home."

A number of people said the fact young people have nothing to do in their spare time was a real problem.

Michael, who is originally from Canada but works in Croydon, said he wanted to know what the Government planned to do to keep young people off the streets.

The actions of the police on the night was heavily criticised, with some residents shocked to find out 40 of Croydon's police officers were sent to help other areas, despite police having intelligence the borough would be targeted.

Graham Reeves, whose family owns the furniture store House of Reeves which was destroyed in an arson, said: "What happened that night was mindless violence and it needs heavier penalties.

"The council could make a difference, they have to claim the money that has been put aside. If they aren't going to claim the money, that is shameful, it can help with youth unemployment but they haven't claimed it."

Some people blamed absent fathers and bad parenting, with others arguing consumerism was to blame.

The saddest comment of the evening came from a man who lives just half a mile from Reeves Corner.

Describing how he watched the mayhem unfold he said: "We saw our neighbour opposite packing their car ready to leave the area and the family to our side were doing the same.

"We are quite a strong family, but we were all in tears watching it unfold." The council later insisted that a number of meetings had been held with senior politicians and staff from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG). An update on post-riot funding was also given at Monday’s full council meeting and an announcement about how much Croydon will receive is due to be made next month.